"Her actions inspired others."

Record-breaking yachtswoman Hilary Lister, who became the first quadriplegic person to sail the English channel solo, has died.

Lister, who completed the historic journey in 2005 by sucking and blowing on straws to control her boat, had reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a progressive neurological disorder.

She went on to set a further record in 2014, crossing the Indian Ocean.

Alex Lister, her stepson, told the BBC that Lister, from Dunkirk, Kent, had “not been well for a while” after a number of operations.

Describing her journey across the channel, he said: “People thought she was nuts but she went out and did it and she was on cloud nine.”

A number of fans inspired by her feat took to social media to share their sympathies and pay tribute.

sad news today as we hear of the passing of Hilary Lister. A woman I admired for her tenacity. Her actions have inspired others in developing enabling technology and for others to get out on the water and find their wings. https://t.co/ltunSX4jjC

Today we hear the sad news that solo sailor Hilary Lister has completed her life at the age of 46. What an incredible inspiring human who has changed the way people think about disability... https://t.co/5yrzdCxNjh